Metairie Park Country Day School

Congratulations to Magdalena St. Louis '26, this years recipient of the Michael P. Smith Award. To honor his contributions to the fields of the Arts and Humanities and to inspire a new generation of Country Day students, his classmates established the Michael P. Smith Award in the Arts and Humanities. This award will is given to a Country Day senior who has distinguished himself or herself in both the arts and the humanities. Well done, Magdalena!

Stephen T. Victory embodied the philosophy of Country Day. An individual who excelled academically and athletically. The Victory Award was established in Steve's name to recognize and honor those students who commit themselves academically and athletically to the philosophy of the School. The criteria for the award is any senior who participated in two sports in separate seasons during his freshman and sophomore years, who lettered in two sports in separate seasons during his junior and senior years, and who has a cumulative rank in the top 20% of his or her class at the end of the first semester of the senior year.

Congratulations to Peyton Katz '26, Bea Schwarz '26, and Mason Zink '26, this years Stephen R. Victory Award recipients!

Congratulations to Anna Clark, this years receipient of the Bowdoin Book Award. The criteria for book awards varies from one institution to the next. While some schools may recognize excellence and achievement in areas like the arts or a specific academic discipline, at Bowdoin it centers on a deep commitment to the common good.

Anna Clark is stealthily smart and resilient when challenges arise. Anna is never going to shine the light on her and her brilliance. She tackles challenging problems head on, finds no fault in asking for help along the way and has a curious mind. Well done, Anna!

Meet the newest members of the Country Day family! Our new faculty and staff just finished two days of orientation, kicking things off with a warm welcome from our new Head of School, Nathan Washer. ❤️💙

To our newest faculty and staff members, you're now a , and we couldn't be more excited to have you here.

To our community, please give these new Cajuns a warm welcome when you see them around campus. We can't wait for you all to meet them!

Today we recognize rising senior Madison Boustead, the University of Virginia; Jefferson Book Award recipient. The Jefferson Book Award was established to recognize outstanding high school juniors who embrace creativity and innovation and embody the spirit of discovery, much like the University’s founder, Thomas Jefferson. This student is a demonstrated citizen leader who works to improve their community locally or globally.

Madison is a diligent, curious, and resilient student. She asks questions to improve, holding herself to a high standard. She perseveres through challenges and experiments until she reaches new heights. Her stunning paintings are examples of the determination and empathy she brought to the art studio this year. Madison is a kindhearted student, frequently described by her teachers as thoughtful, hard-working, and an advocate for her own learning. Congratulations, Madison!

Today we recognize rising senior Jake Weaver, the St. Lawrence University Book Award recipient. This award honors a high school junior who has demonstrated a significant commitment to some aspect of sustainability, conservation, climate change, or a topic related to environmental awareness and/or advocacy.

Jake has demonstrated his environmental stewardship regularly in honors Environmental Science class this year. He was an active participant in our coastal restoration service learning project, often leading by example. Additionally, he enjoys sharing his knowledge and experience with our lower school students, encouraging them to also participate in service that supports their community. Congratulations, Jake!

Today we recognize rising senior Isabel Berry, the University of Rochester, Frederick Douglass and Susan B. Anthony Award recipient. This award was named in honor of two significant pioneers of social justice and recognizes commitment to understanding and addressing difficult social issues. It is awarded to a junior with strong grades in rigorous humanities and social sciences courses who demonstrates this commitment, and shows leadership and dedication to community action.

Isabel truly embodies the spirit of this award, caring deeply about her community as an active leader at Country Day and in the greater New Orleans area. Isabel has served as the Advocacy Club founder, Hispanic Heritage Club leader, Youth and Government Club co-leader, Voter Registration Drive coordinator, New Orleans City Council intern, and a Students Demand Action protest organizer. Isabel acts publicly on her values. She has also represented Country Day in New York for the Columbia University Model United Nations Conference and in Washington DC at the Student Civic Leadership Conference. In addition to her community activism, Isabel has maintained excellent grades taking Country Day’s most rigorous courses. Congratulations, Isabel!

Today we recognize rising senior James Gottsche, this years recipient of The University of Rochester, Bausch + Lomb Honorary Science Award. This award recognizes outstanding achievement and superior intellectual promise in the field of science. James displayes high achievement and rigor in science classes and contributes positively to the school and within the larger community. Congratulations, James!

Today we recognize rising senior Cali Chapman, The University of Rochester, George Eastman Young Leaders Award recipient. This award is awarded to a junior who displays strong leadership experience at school and in the community, has high grades in challenging courses, and shows extensive involvement in extracurricular activities. Cali's positive energy is contagious. She enthusiastically embraces challenges and enriches our community with optimism and creativity. In art she focused on resilience this year, which perfectly reflects Cali's fearless approach to life.
Congratulations, Cali!